St Giles Hospice needs £416,000 to provide round-the-clock care over Christmas period

A local hospice is asking people who are thinking of their loved ones this festive season to spare a thought for those who may be facing their final Christmas, as it launches its annual appeal.

St Giles Hospice has launched its Christmas Appeal to raise funds towards the £416,000 needed to provide 24-hour nursing care, medical support and home visits throughout the festive period.

The charity, which cares for patients across Staffordshire and North Birmingham, is asking supporters to donate £30 – the cost of one hour of specialist care – to help make Christmas as special as possible for those at the end of their life.

With less than a quarter of its £10 million annual running costs funded by the Government, St Giles relies heavily on donations from the local community to keep services running.

Kristie Dann, a Nurse Practitioner on the Inpatient Unit, recalled a heartbreaking moment: “One patient hoped to make it to Christmas. Sadly this wasn’t going to happen, so we brought the day forward. We decorated his room, played Christmas songs, wore Santa hats, and his family joined him – their eyes filled with joy and sadness as he opened a gift from his granddaughter.”

She added: “Moments like this are both heartwarming and heartbreaking, and they remind us why we do what we do.”

Leia Roden, Deputy Clinical Lead in the Community Team, said: “While many celebrate over the festive period, we know it can be a difficult time for some of our patients and their loved ones. Our nurses visit patients to bring comfort, compassion and care – making sure no patient experiences Christmas in pain.”

The hospice also supports families facing their first Christmas without loved ones. Jane Morris, Senior Family Support Worker in the Family Support and Wellbeing team, said: “It’s such a difficult time – the people who made Christmas so magical aren’t there anymore. We try to support families through this, guiding them with care as they find their way forwards.”

Elinor Eustace, Chief Executive Officer at St Giles Hospice, added: “As you gather with your loved ones this Christmas, we hope you’ll spare a thought for local families who know this may be their last festive season together. Your support ensures we can be there for them at the most difficult time in their lives, providing the comfort and care they deserve.”

Last year, the local community’s donations helped secure the future of St Giles, ensuring patients and their loved ones could continue to receive vital end of life care throughout the festive season.

Donations of £30 can fund an hour of specialist care, £60 can fund a specialist nurse visit to a patient at home, and £128 can fund a nurse for Christmas Day. People can donate online at www.stgileshospice.com/christmasappeal, by calling 01543 432538 (weekdays 9am–5pm), by texting 10XMAS to 70470 to donate £10, or by post to Christmas Appeal, St Giles Hospice, Fisherwick Road, Lichfield, WS14 9LH.